All trends
The ruling elite
The authorities continue to develop their repressive agenda as the outlook of government and private business continues to diverge
April 19 – April 25
Security forces aim for complete demotivation of protests
April 12 – April 18
Lukashenka resists the development of political parties, while legislators delegate the choice of victims and the nature of repressive measures to law enforcement officers’ discretion
April 5 – April 11
The legalisation of political repression, criminal cases against political exiles and ex-siloviki
March 29 – April 4
Riot gear and repression on the streets of the capital while the authorities incite controversy over protest symbols
March 22 – March 28
With the weakening of state institutions and public sector cuts, the apparatus of the state is preoccupied with the campaign against dissent
March 15 – March 21
The regime is preparing for economic difficulties and requires the army to “fight from within”
March 8 – March 14
Discussion about the transfer of power and political parties resumes, but repressions do not abate
March 1 – March 7
Large-scale indiscriminate repression as public sector employment expands thanks to budgetary injections
February 22 – February 28
Purges, repression, carte blanche for the security forces, and a changing social contract
February 15 – February 21
Lukashenka announces the outlines of constitutional reform proposals as the authorities attack the private sector
February 8 – February 14
Security forces intensify their anti-corruption campaign and constitutional reform comes to nothing
February 1 – February 7
Authorities ramp up threats to society and the nomenklatura in the run-up to All Belarusian People’s Assembly
January 25 – January 31
The quality of state administration and public services deteriorates as the authorities continue to withdraw funds from the population
January 18 – January 24
Lukashenka is hoping for a forceful resolution of the political crisis
January 11 – January 17
Lukashenka is hoping to cement the vertical power structure at the All-Belarusian Assembly; security forces carry out purges in residential areas in large cities targeting protesters
January 4 – January 10
2020: The state lost touch with society and resumed financial intervention in the public sector
January 4 – January 10
The Belarusian authorities aim to increase taxation as Lukashenka takes transfer of power off the table
December 14 – December 20
The authorities restrict assistance to the private sector and tighten foreign travel rules for Belarusians
December 7 – December 13
While Covid-19 brings the Belarusian healthcare system to the verge of collapse, the authorities increase repression against clerics to restrain religious organisations
November 30 – December 6
Loyalty to Lukashenka continues to erode as he doubles down on the use of force to curtail protests
November 23 – November 29
The authorities stake their future on the security forces, not on dialogue
November 16 – November 22
The authorities pin their hopes on constitutional reforms as public confidence in public institutions continues to crumble due to the actions of security forces
November 9 – November 15
The authorities continue to try to redefine the news agenda and augment repression with “political propaganda”
November 2 – November 8
Belarus’ strongman rotates senior security officials and postpones the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly
October 26 – November 1
The authorities have postponed constitutional reforms and continue to reshuffle the public sector
October 19 – October 25
The authorities are propelling constitutional reforms and resume state subsidies to the public sector
October 12 – October 18
Loyalty to Lukashenka becomes indispensable to the public sector employees amid promised state investments
October 5 – October 11
Constitutional reform planned amid a crackdown on dissent while the economy backslides into depression
September 28 – October 4
Despite purges in the media sector and unceasing pressure on the business community in Belarus, the exodus of public sector employees continues
September 21 – September 27
The Belarusian authorities continue to bolster the edifice of power, including through propping up employment in the public sector
September 14 – September 20
Lukashenka scrambles to secure the loyalty of public officials whilst security forces step up pressure on protest groups
September 7 – September 13
Popular support for public institutions continues to reduce whilst Lukashenka retains control over the edifice of power
August 31 – September 6
The authorities promote constitutional reform amid purges in the edifice of power
August 24 – August 30
The Belarusian authorities focused on demotivating the strike movement, whilst loyalty of the edifice of power, security and government officials remained under threat
August 17 – August 23
Senior administration officials remain loyal to Lukashenka; however, unity is fraying, and cracks are appearing in the edifice of power
August 10 – August 16
The incumbent president has promised five years without economic reforms and reiterated a promise of a constitutional reform
August 3 – August 9